A STRING of anti-narcotics operations in the countryside this week resulted in the arrest of 12 persons and the seizure of over P45 million worth of shabu, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos on Saturday said.

The top cop said that three of the suspects were arrested in a buy-bust operation in Panganiban Balagtas Street in Bgy. Pahina Central in Cebu City at 12:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Seized during the operation were nearly P40 million worth of the “poor man’s cocaine.”

The PNP chief, citing a report from Police Regional Office 7 director Brig. Gen. Roque Edgardo DP Vega, said that members of the PRO7 Regional Drug Enforcement Unit and the Cebu City Police DEU arrested suspects Shelljay Cuyno and Dennis Centino, both 24-years-old, after they conspired to sell the drugs to a poseur.

Recovered from the possession of the duo were around 5.125 kilos of shabu worth P34,850,000 and the buy-bust money.

Vega said that another sting inside Pleasant Homes in Bgy. Punta Princesa in Cebu City led to the arrest of 53-year-old Jimmy Villahermosa after he sold some 600 grams of shabu valued at P4.080 million to an undercover agent of the Cebu City police.

Nine other suspects were hauled to jail by the PNP in separate anti-drug operations in Luzon on Thursday and Friday, said the PNP chief.

He said that one of the suspects identified as Rodel Lingganay, 35, was arrested in a buy-bust operation inside Wright Park in Bgy. Lualhati, Baguio City.

Members of the Cordillera Police Regional Drug Enforcement Unit, Regional Intelligence Division and the Regional Special Operations Group under Brig. Gen. Ronald Lee led the sting, which resulted in the recovery of about 85 grams of shabu valued at P578,000 and the marked money.

The suspect is now under the custody of the Cordillera RDEU.

Lee said that his men were assisted by the Baguio City Police Office, the PNP Drug Enforcement Group under Brig. Gen. Randy Peralta and the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group under Maj. Gen. Eliseo DC Cruz in conducting the Baguio City operation.

Three others identified as Ricalyn Ramos, 23; Jordan Laxamana, 30; and Michael John Santana,30, were arrested by members of the Pampanga Police Provincial Office during a sting in Purok 1, Bgy. Sto. Niño in Lubao municipality last Thursday.

The trio yielded six plastic packets containing around 55 grams of shabu worth P374,000, the buy-bust money and a cal. 22 handgun with five live ammunition, said PRO3 director Brig. Gen. Matthew Baccay.

Five other suspects identified as Joseph Estipona, a known drug den maintainer in Purok 2, Bgy. Pigcale in Legazpi City, Albay, and drug dive employees/visitors Jasmine Visilia, Mark Kenneth Loremia, Henry Imperial and Jeffrey Villanueva were arrested in an anti-drug operation at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, said PRO5 director Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo.
A 6th suspect named Gregorio Estipona is being hunted.

Estomo said that recovered during the sting were an estimated 50 grams of shabu worth P340,000, various drug paraphernalia and the marked money.

Carlos commended his men for their string of anti-drug accomplishments.

“This is another notable accomplishment in our collaborative efforts to suppress the proliferation of prohibited drugs in the country, with more focus on capturing high-value drug personalities. Let us continue making great strides in the fight against dangerous drugs and help create a better and drug-free Philippines,” the PNP chief said. With Blessie Amor Vicente and Joanne Rosario (OJTs)